Artwork

Disasters of War: That's Tough

Disasters of War: That's Tough, by Francisco de Goya, 1815
Disasters of War: That's Tough, by Francisco de Goya, 1815

Disasters of War: That's Tough is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1998.99

About this work

The man in the foreground seems to be in the middle of a fight, with his sword raised and his body tense.

This image shows a man in white pants and a dark jacket, holding a sword in his right hand. He's standing in front of a group of people, with one person on the ground and another holding a flag. The background is dark, with some trees and a cloudy sky.

The man in the foreground seems to be in the middle of a fight, with his sword raised and his body tense. The people around him are reacting to the situation, with some looking scared or worried.

The artist who created this image is Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828).

Overview

Disasters of War: That's Tough is an etching by Francisco de Goya, dated to 1815. The work is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a chaotic scene of conflict. A central figure, clad in white pants and a dark jacket, brandishes a sword amidst a group of people. One individual lies on the ground, while another holds a flag, suggesting a context of political or military upheaval. The tense poses and fearful expressions convey the brutality and distress of war.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, Goya's piece features a predominantly dark background with silhouetted trees against a cloudy sky, contrasting with the more defined figures in the foreground. The bold, expressive lines and the emphasis on chiaroscuro are characteristic of Goya's innovative and emotionally charged approach to printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1815, during a period of significant turmoil in Spain, the etching is one of Goya's works from the series 'Disasters of War', which critiques the atrocities of the Napoleonic Wars and their aftermath. The piece is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

The Horrors of War:  They Do Not Arrive In Time
The Horrors of War: They Do Not Arrive In Time, Francisco de Goya

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco de Goya

Artist

Francisco de Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Disasters of War: That's Tough?

Disasters of War: That's Tough was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1815.

Where can I see Disasters of War: That's Tough?

Disasters of War: That's Tough is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Disasters of War: That's Tough?

Disasters of War: That's Tough is associated with Romanticism.